The cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend are pleased to offer the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) CERT program for the purpose of training citizens like us to save lives, protect property, and operate safely in the post-disaster environment. This course is taught by a partnership between the Snoqualmie Fire Department, Eastside Fire & Rescue, and community volunteers.

This disaster response training course is held on four Saturdays. We can predict that emergency resources may not meet immediate needs of everyone following a major disaster, especially if there is no warning as in the event of an earthquake. We also know that people will naturally want to help others following a disaster.

Training courses, student materials, and equipment are provided for a refundable fee of $25 per person upon completion of all training sessions.

Classes are held in the spring and fall of each year at the Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 SE Snoqualmie Parkway.

CERT training will cover the following topics:

FALL 2016 TRAINING IS CANCELLED.

I. Disaster Preparedness - TBD - 9:00-11:30 am

The first session provides an overview of the entire course, recommends personal preparedness steps, and addresses many of the hazards that the City of Snoqualmie, and the Snoqualmie Valley area faces.

II. Disaster Fire Suppression - TBD- 12:00-3:00 pm

This session addresses fire prevention and dealing with small fires. This covers identifying and reducing potential fire hazards, basic for suppression strategy, firefighting resources and firefighting techniques. Attendees will get the opportunity to use a real fire extinguisher.

III & IV. Disaster Medical Operations - TBD

Part 1 - Triage, 9:00-11:30 am

Part 2 - First Aid, 12:00-3:00 pmDisaster medical operations are taught in two sessions. These classes include information on triage techniques, patient assessment, and how to treat life-threatening injuries. This information is first aid for when 911 isn’t coming to help and you’re on your own.

VI. CERT Organization - TBD - 2:00-3:00 pmPolice and Fire Departments use the Incident Command System (ICS) to organize first responders at the scene of an incident. This class teaches citizens the basic principles of ICS and how it applies to CERT team organization.

This session describes the post disaster emotional environment for victims and responders and methods to meet the challenges involved. The class is taught by a police/fire department chaplain who has years of professional experience pertaining to the subject Disaster Psychology. This session also covers information for assessing and reporting damage to buildings and infrastructure, construction-related hazards, and rescuer safety. Participants will also be given information on responding to a terrorist event.

IX. Course Review & Disaster Simulation (Drill) - TBD - 12:00-3:00 pm

The final CERT session involves a brief review of information followed by a practical drill in which participants exercise some of the skills they have learned in previous class sessions.

A preview of the CERT program can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at https://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/. For more information contact the City of Snoqualmie Emergency Management Department at (425) 888-5911.